Olazabal: Ryder Cup triumph can inspire Europe in Royal Trophy

Jose Maria Olazabal wants to rediscover some of last summer’s Ryder Cup magic to inspire Europe to victory in their defence of the Royal Trophy this week.

Olazabal masterminded a dramatic win over the United States at Medinah in
September and captains an eight-man team who take on Asia in Brunei.

A team event founded by the late Seve Ballesteros in 2006, the Royal Trophy has
a similar format to the Ryder Cup with 16 matches played over three days.

The European team includes three members of the squad that won a record
eight-and-a-half points in Sunday's singles matches at Medinah and Olazabal
said today: "We will definitely be drawing on the Ryder Cup experience.

“We have just triumphed in the first Ryder Cup since Seve left us and it would
be another fitting tribute if we could do the same thing at the Royal Trophy, a
competition he did so much to establish.”

Olazabal, 46, who has decided on the role of player-captain and partners Miguel
Angel Jimenez in Friday’s foursomes, added: “I want to do everything in my
power to make that happen, and hopefully that will help me to produce some
great golf.

"The competitive juices flow through me as powerfully as ever. I have
decided to play a role on the golf course in trying my best to win matches for
Europe.

“When Seve visioned this event he believed that, with time, this could become a
very important championship - a serious challenge between Asia and Europe.”

And a challenge for Europe it most certainly will be against a strong Asian
team including 2009 PGA Championship winner Y.E. Yang.

Asia captain Naomichi Ozaki said: “I think this is the most formidable team we
have put together so far. It is also representative of how the standards are
rising fast throughout the whole of Asia.”